Bass Gear

Until recently, due to limited budget, I’ve been using the free software looping solution, Mobius. A couple of weeks ago I came across the Boss RC-20XL Phrase Recorder in my local music store. It is the relatively inexpensive (approx. $250) two-pedal ‘middle sibling’ of the Loop Station family; the smaller unit being the one-pedal RC-2... »

Warwick has unveiled the Corvette NT “Neck-Through” Limited edition 2010 bass, which was designed to combine a modern ergonomic design and the tone of a vintage J-bass. The production of the bass is limited to 300 units. This Corvette’s body is made of light swamp ash with a dark ziricote top accompanied by a matching... »

Ashdown Engineering has released a new line of tube amplifiers. The new valve bass amps include the BTA 200, 300, and 400, the 550 Spyder head and touring combo, the 427 small block head, and the “Little Bastard” head. All of the new products are hand-made in the UK. BTA Line The BTA (Big Tube... »

Ever had trouble seeing your position markers on a dark stage? A Japanese company has created a solution called the Luminlay. Available in green or blue, the Luminlay is a highly luminous material that you inlay into the side of your neck where you want your markers. The material is then charged in seconds by... »

Rotosound’s newest line of roundwound strings are designed for bassists who like to de-tune their instruments. The RS 66LH “Drop Zone” 65 to 130 gauge strings allow a 4-string bassist to drop down to B. The Drop Zone+ set allows 5-string players to drop from low B to F# with 85 to 175 gauge strings.... »

Fender has updated all three basses in their line of American Deluxe series. The American Deluxe Precision Bass, American Deluxe Jazz Bass and American Deluxe Jazz Bass V include new N3 Noiseless pickups, improved electronics, and active/passive tone control switches. All three also feature an A-string “stealth” string retainer on the headstock (low B string... »

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DPA Microphones have announced the newest addition to their 4099 clip mic series with the 4099B for upright bass. The new model sports a clip design which attaches to the E and G- strings below the bridge and a gooseneck design for optimum mic placement. The 4099B is a condenser microphone featuring a supercardioid polar... »

Korg has released the Micrometro, a compact clip-on metronome so you can keep time wherever you go. It uses 39 traditional pendulum settings to set the tempo between 40 and 208 beats per minute. It also has seven time signatures provided, as well as duplet, triplet, and quadruplet patterns. Volume is adjustable, and can be... »

Digitech has introduced yet another looping pedal to their JamMan line called the JamMan Delay Looper. Utilizing an SD expansion card, the pedal is capable of storing up to 16 hours of CD-quality audio loops. It also features 16 seconds of stereo delay time, a tap tempo footswitch, and an expression pedal input for changing... »

TC Electronic is introducing the new BG500 bass combos at the Frankfurt Musikmesse 2010, which runs from March 24th to the 27th. The 500-watt BG500 is available as a 1×15 or 2×10 combo, each equipped with a 1″ tweeter. The BG500 combos share many of the same features as the company’s RH450, including the SpectraComp... »